Let me recount the lineage of Atri, the third of the great progenitors. Atri was blessed with ten beautiful wives, each wholly devoted to him. Among them was the celestial apsaras Ghritachi, who bore Bhadrashva ten sons: Bhadra, Shudra, Madra, Shalada, Malada, Vela, Khala, Gocapala, Manarasa, and Ratnakrita. Their father, Prabhakara, was the founder of the Atreya lineage. Of his sons, Bhadra begot a son named Soma, who became renowned. In an ancient time, when Svarbhanu struck down the sun, casting the world into darkness as the sun fell from the sky, it was Soma who set the light in motion again. As the sun was descending, he was addressed with words of blessing: “May well-being be yours.” By the utterance of the Brahmarshi, the sun did not fall to earth but was restored to the heavens. Atri, the great ascetic, established foremost lineages; in sacrificial rites, he was called Atrighana, and the gods themselves set him in motion for these sacred acts. Among his descendants, Atri begot sons equal to himself, bearing his name—ten in all—each endowed with great austerity and radiant spiritual power. These sages, known as the Svastyatreyas, were accomplished in the Vedas, and among them, two shone with particular glory, devoted to Brahman and possessed of immense energy. Of these, Dattatreya was the eldest, with Durvasa as his younger brother, and the youngest was their sister Ambala, learned in Brahman. The ancient knowers declare that Dattatreya, tranquil and sinless, was an incarnation of Vishnu himself. From this illustrious lineage, four great branches became renowned on earth: the Shyamas, Mudgalas, Balarakas, and Gavishthiras—mighty among men. From Kashyapa, Narada, Parvata, and Arundhati were born; now, let us hear of those descended from Arundhati. Narada gave Arundhati in marriage to Vasishtha. Narada himself, of great energy and upward-flowing seed, became so due to the curse of a tree. In the age-old battle between gods and demons known as Tarakamaya, when the world was struck by drought and Indra was preoccupied with the gods, Vasishtha, wise and steadfast, sustained all creatures through his austerities. By his compassion, he caused herbs, roots, fruits, and medicinal plants to grow, reviving the world with their healing power. Vasishtha begot Shakti upon Arundhati, and Shakti begot Parashara upon Sagarānjanayā. From Kali and Parashara was born Krishna Dvaipayana, the lord known as Vyasa. From Dvaipayana and Arani came Shuka, a sage endowed with great virtues. In Pivari, Shuka fathered six sons: Bhurishrava, Prabhu, Shambhu, Krishna, and Gaura as the fifth. He also had a daughter, Kirtimati, famed as the mother of yoga and steadfast in her vows; she became the mother of Brahmadatta and wife to Sattvaguha. Among the descendants of Parashara are eight illustrious branches: the Shvetas, Krishnas, Gauras, Shyamas, Dhumras, Samulikas, Ushmapas, and Darakas, as well as the Nilas and Parasharas—these are the great souls among Parashara’s line. Listen further to the tale of a birth equal to Indra: From Vasishta, through Kapinjala and Ghritachi, was born Kushitiya, who was called Indra-like. From the daughter of Prithu came a son, Vasus; his son was Upamanyu, from whom the Upamanyu lineage descends. Among Mitra and Varuna, are found the Kundinas and the Ekarsheyas, and the renowned Vasishtas—these are branches of the Vasishtas, eleven in number. Thus, these eight mind-born sons of Brahma are famed, brothers of great fortune whose lineages are firmly established. They sustain the three worlds, filled with hosts of divine sages; their sons and grandsons number in the hundreds and thousands, pervading the earth like rays of the sun. Having heard these accounts, the twice-born questioned the charioteer’s son further, asking: “How did Bhavani arise a second time, and who was she before? Formerly she was Dakshayani—how did Uma come to be born? From Menā, daughter of the ancestors, the mountain lord begot offspring; who are these ancestors, of whom Menā is the mind-born daughter? Mainaka is the grandson, Uma the granddaughter, and also Ekaparna and Ekapatala. And Ganga, foremost of rivers, is the eldest among them—this you have already explained, but please tell me all once more. “There are many ancestors, and others besides; I wish to hear from you, O blessed one, about the supreme rite of Shraddha. Whose sons are remembered, and how are their ancestors? How were the ancestors born, whose sons are they, and of what nature? In heaven, some ancestors are even deities among the gods; I wish to hear the supreme origin of the ancestors, and how the Shraddha offerings we make properly please them. For what purpose are they seen there, and what cause is remembered? Which ancestors dwell in heaven, and which in hell? “Having in mind the father, the father’s father, and the grandfather, offerings are made in three portions, each by name. Which Shraddha offerings should be given, and how do they reach the ancestors? How can those who are in hell receive the fruit again? Who indeed are called ancestors here, and whom should we worship? We have heard that even the gods worship their sons in heaven. I wish to hear this in detail, O learned one; you are worthy to speak clearly on this matter.” Having listened to the words of the sages, the wise Sūta, who understood the true meaning, began to recount, as he was asked, the thoughts and teachings of the ancient seers.